surgery date

[arlene]

hi, i'm scheduled for jan.24th,getting anxious and excited. any helpful hints for my lapband? arlene

[akhan16]

I was the same way for my surgery. I did not know when they put me to sleep. I opened my eyes and didnt even know the surgery was over until the nurse told me when i was in the recovery waiting area. you will be sore but everything should be fine. you are in great hands. dr. allam and his staff is great. any questions, ask away. my personal email address is aleeya.khan@gmail.com if you want to write me there. i just think its helpful to post here so anyone else getting the surgery done can benefit from the conversations. i'll be at the jan 15th support group meeting if you want to chat in person.

good luck. i know you will do fine.

[Jamie]

Arlene,

Hello, and welcome to the land of the lost, and loosing!!! You need not worry about your surgery Dr. Allam and his staff are the best. It is normal to be excited and nervous at the same time, because this is a big step, but believe me, it is one you won't regret. I am about 7 months out and am doing fine ( I am a lapbander also). If you have any questions please post them and I am sure you will get a number of answers from RNY patients and lapbanders alike. This is a wonderful group of people that will do just about anything to help answer any questions that may arise as you get closer to your due date. I am sure many more questions will pop up, so just ask.

One main item that I can't stress enough is the wonderful support group and meetings that we have on the third Tuesday of every month. If at all possible, please try to make it this Tuesday, Jan. 15th. We meet at the Hampton Bays Public Library. If you need directions just call the office and they will be glad to give them to you. I think this meeting will help you when you meet the people that have already gone through it and will be able to give you some pointers. Sometimes people don't come to the meetings, but I think it is a very important part of the process and will continue to give you support and guidance even if you have been out for a long period of time. There is always something to learn, but it is so rewarding to be able to help someone with questions about what you have already gone through and we have all jumped through those hoops to get where we are today.

Well anyway, I want to wish you the best and really hope to meet you at the meeting this Tuesday.

Jamie

[arlene]

hi, had surgery on the 24th and felt really good until i went down for x-ray , and all that moving really hurt, like laying on your stomach, i must admit i cried, i was so afraid i might have hurt something. i feel good today, pretty sore but up and walking every hour or so. i have a difficult time with the computer, even after the explaining at the last meeting but i just keep hitting buttons and i found you.looking forward to supper!!yum,yum.keep in touch, arlene

[Sissy]

What supper?? You mean your 2 tsp. of protein pudding?? Or are you still under the influence & pretending to eat supper ??
Remember to deep breath & cough. Laughing at the kittens helps too!

[arlene]

hey, hey heavy breathing at my age? cough,cough,eh gads, cat fur. feeling good, hope to get out side for a walk tomorrow, even just for a few minutes,thanks for coming over, love, mom

[Jamie]

Hi Arlene,

Sounds like you are making out just fine. You should be feeling better and better everyday. The worst is over, so it is just learning how to use your new tool. I know with me, after a fill, I felt it for a couple of days, and then it didn't feel like it was working. Everyone is different so don't get discouraged. There will be a couple adjustments before you really start to find your"sweet spot".

Keep up the good work, and please keep everyone posted on your progress.

Jamie

[arlene]

hi, had my post-op today, feeling good. Looking good already!! {positve thinking}today is my birthday and i'm glad i gave myself this great present.{67} looking forward to seeing every one at the group meeting. arlene

[connie]

arlene...I dont have a date set yet going for my second app in a few weeks...want to talk to someone who recently had the lap band...I'm going to the next meeting on the 19 hope I can meet some recent banders. Thanks Connie

[akhan16]

Connie,

i had the lap band done on dec 13, 2007. i will try my best to be at the meeting tomorrow. i actually have an appointment with dr. allam tomorrow. i guess we will see how i feel after that appointment.

you can either ask me questions on here so that other lap banders or potential lap banders can see or you can email me at aleeya.khan@gmail.com

[CARE4SMALLSIZES]

Hi Connie,

My name is Carrie I had the surgury on November 29, and I feel great. Please feel free to ask any questions you have I will be at the meeting tonight.

Carrie





Connie,

i had the lap band done on dec 13, 2007. i will try my best to be at the meeting tomorrow. i actually have an appointment with dr. allam tomorrow. i guess we will see how i feel after that appointment.

you can either ask me questions on here so that other lap banders or potential lap banders can see or you can email me at aleeya.khan@gmail.com

[itsgone73]

Hi, my name is Marcia, Im new to this, my first posting I hope it comes out okay,
I have decided on the lap band and I have my date 5/29

[Regina]

http://www.funmunch.com/graphics/congratulations/graphics/congratulations5.gif

Congratulations and best of luck to you Marcia

I hope to meet you at our meeting Tuesday May 20. Will you be able to make it? We have a great support system. Coming to support meetings will be beneficial to you. You can ask us anything you want. Dr Allam is there to answer medical questions and Pat is there to answer all your nutrition questions. In addition, most of all you will meet the people who have had the same surgery that you decided on. I am sure they will be glad to answer your questions. So please try to make it.

I am glad to see you posting here and hope that you will continue to do so and keep us updated on your new journey.

[akhan16]

Congratulations Marcia!!!
I had the lap band done on dec 13, 2007. I'm so happy I did it. I'm doing well. If you have any questions, post it here and we will try our best to answer them.

[connie]

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SURGERY DATE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had the lap band done on March 31, and I am doing great. Will be happy to answer any questions you may have......Good Luck Connie

You may have questions before surgery and please just post and you wil be amazed at the response . This site has been great for me........Glad you are becoming a part of our "lap band family"

[Jamie]

Hi Marcia,

My name is Jamie and it is so nice to see that you are posting already. That's great!!! It will be a great source of information for you to read and post on the Message Board and will help others that read it as well. You will find that we are a great and friendly group here, and will do anything to help with your questions and concerns. There is no better way to get advice, than to get it from someone first hand.

First of all, now that your time is coming up fast, feel free to ask anything that pops into your mind. You should have plenty of questions that we can answer for you if you ask. Please try to come to the support group meeting on the 20th at 6:30. I think you will get a lot out of it and we can answer any last minute questions in person if you wish.

I think you will be happy with your decision for bariatric surgery, just about everyone is. I had my lapband on June 28, 2007 and haven't regretted a single day.

Good luck, and keep posting. Hope to see you at the meeting on Tuesday,

Jamie

[Darby]

Hi Marcia,

Congratulations on your decisionvxmdz. I had the bypass, but we will have many things in common. You are among a growing number of lapbanders and have a great support system to fall back on. And if you didn't already know it you are in GREAT hands with Dr. Alllam. Good luck to you and I hope to meet you at support group!

Darby

[connie]

Good Luck !!!

[itsgone73]

It was nice meeting you guys in Dr Allams office last week, and thanks Connie! I cant believe my surgery date is 2 days away (29th) WOW!
I am so nervouse and excited and on the verge of tears everyday, good tears, Like maybe now I will have a tool that I can use and it will work. We shall see. Im going to take my picture the morning of surgery, it will be the first time in a very long long time that I want to take a photo of myself! fingscrssed

[connie]

Marcia best of luck to you...........my prayers will be with you on Thursday, my other friend BillyJeane is also having surgery that day........maybe you'll be room mates to help each other through. Well keep posting....I check the messages everyday so I will be here to help you the best I can. You are right this tool (lap band) does help in more ways than one,. The control is amazing and I never have felt hungry yet Im 7 weeks out now and my energy level is great............I cook normal for my large family now and dont even feel any temptation at all.......infact I have begun to tame my Husbands appetite too.....I feel this lap band has helped my entire family.......... Good luck and keep in touch....

[Jamie]

Hi Marcia,

I met you in Dr. Allam's office the other day also and I just want to wish you luck an your new adventure. The tool you are about to be given to work with is amazing, just remember that it is only a tool and you have to work it correcdtly in order to have it work to it's optimal potential.

It really is a good idea to make sure that you take a picture before surgery so you have something to look back on and compare when you start shedding all of the excess weight. You tend to forget how you looked before the lapband and the picture tweaks that memory a little to give you the confidence to keep going and stay focused.

I know you may have many questions come up before and after surgery, so just post them and we will help in any way we can with your needs.

Good luck, and best wishes on Thursday, just remember to walk as much as possible when you get the ok from the nurse after you get back to your room, so it will help get rid of the gas that is pumped into your abdomen during surgery.

If you need an angel, just ask, there are plenty of people that will come visit, or call you to check up on your progress. Sometimes it is nice to chat with someone that has walked in your shoes, and knows what you are feeling.

Keep us posted when you are up to it,

Jamie

[Regina]

Hi Marcia, good luck to you on Thursday. You are about to go on one of the best journeys you can imagine. This one is going to take you to a side of you that you might not even know. In no time, your going to feel so good that you will amaze yourself each and everyday. Just always, follow the plan that Pat has given you.
Each day you will start to feel better and better. Jamie is right when he says to make sure you walk, walk, and walk it helps. Come here and ask any questions that you want we are all here to help one another.

Do you have an Angel yet? Would you like one? Just let Carrie know and she can find you someone close to your hometown.

Good luck and one more day you will be on the losing side. ;)

[itsgone73]

Okay so I called for my time, I have to be at Southampton Hospital tomorrow at 6am They told me that I was Dr Allams first scheduled procedure for the day. Any suggestions on what I should bring or any last words of advice or anything? Im excited but still nervous at the same time. Jamie had told me that he wrote a play by play and posted it here so Im going to look for it.
I also have to get out the superglue and re-attach that darn hospital id bracelet. lol :eek:

[Jamie]

Good Luck Marcia,

You will do just fine. You are in the best of hands with Dr. Allam and his team in the hospital. Just follow the instructions, and remember that if you have any questions after to post them or private message any of us and we will help in any way we can.

Keep us posted,

Jamie

[QUEEBELL]

Good luck. You'll do fine. They'll keep you comfortable. I'd bring whatever makes you feel at home. If you live for music like I do make sure whatever you are playing it on has extra batteries. That was my saving grace. You'll need either a regular home phone (not Optimum) or your credit card to order TV. That's a big one. I didn't bring my credit card to the hospital. Just one of those things to think about that many forget. Again, you are in great hands. Keep posting to let us know how you make out.
Isabel

[connie]

Marcia HAPPY RE-BIRTHDAY !! This is what my children told me the day after my surgery...........because its true.......It was a new beginning for me. Hope you are doing well, best advice walk...walk ....walk... it helps.....Congratulations on your surgery..talk to you soon.

[akhan16]

Marcia,

Congrats on your surgery. hope you are doing well.
Hope to see you at the next meeting

[itsgone73]

Well Im home and everything went well, I think I frustrated the nursing staff just a little..... lol but other than that Im glad to be home and scared to eat anything but I am taking it slow real slow...My 3 year old loves the burping! :eek::D

[Regina]

So glad to hear that all went well for you. Don’t worry about the staff I am sure that you were not as bad as you thought.

Now that you are on the losing side, your next part of your journey is beginning. Just follow all the rules and you will do just fine. Make sure you walk.

If you have, questions come here and post them, and I am sure, that someone will get back to you.

Congratulations!!!TA_CLAP33.

[Jamie]

Marcia,

I am so glad to hear that you made out ok, I knew you would!!! You are doing what you are supposed to do by taking it easy for a few days. Just follow the directions and you will make out just fine. I know that it is a little scary at first with the eating, but that fear is what is going to keep you in check. Slow steps at first, then you will know when you are ready for the next step. Just follow the advice given you by Dr. Allam and Pat and before you know it, you will have the situation under control. You don't want to push it for a few days because your stomach is probably a little swollen from the procedure and you don't want to have the band slip. Before you know it you will be on to the next stage, and you wouldn't believe how good some of the mushies taste after the clear liquid stage!!!

Anyway, if you have any questions just post them, or private message someone you trust and I am sure that they will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please keep us posted,

Jamie

[itsgone73]

Thats just it, in the paper work from Dr Allams office it says first two weeks that I can eat skim milk and tomatoe juice and creamed soup then move on to baby food but the info that the hospital gave me says to stay on the clear liquids for the first week (which I am doing ) then move on to yogurt and such, but I am listening to my body and its saying jello and chicken broth for now. and as for the nurses well I did remove my own IV so maybe just a little.:D

[connie]

Hey Marcia I stuck with the chicken broth and clear liquids , jello,ice pops,apple juice,water.............I was "by the book" I actually stayed on clear a little longer just because.........It worked for me !!!!!!!!! Remember your new pouch is healing......it takes time to heal.............Glad you are posting your questions and feel free to call Pat the nutritionist she answered all my questions quickly and it helped talking to her too. Keep up the good work.........How do you feel otherwise????????? Connie

[connie]

Oh yeah as for the nurses............well one of them was really great !!!!!! But I really nursed myself..........walking walking and walking.........I did most of my nursing by myself but that was okay because I had no problems at all . Sounds like you are doing great .

[Jamie]

Hi Marcia,

That was confusing for me too. A lot of the information that they had when I had mine done was geared for Bypass and it was confusing. Keep in touch with Pat and Dr. Allam, and most of all listen to your body. Take it easy as your body is healing, you will get to the next step soon enough. Err on the cautious side, if you know what I mean. You will know when to move on to the mushies, but use Dr. Allam's and Pat's info as a guide. Maybe they can clarify it a little better for future patients.

Good luck, and keep posting your questions,

Jamie

[QUEEBELL]

Everyone is so right. Listen to your body. It will deffinatly tell you when to move to the next level. I played it extra safe, too. After about a week, my body told me that chicken broth and jello were not enough to keep me going. I then moved on to yogurt, then strained cream soup and so on and so on. You're going to really be tuning into what your body is telling you about the fuel (food) it needs in the next few months. Because you may not get that hungry feeling in your stomach anymore this will be a crutial time to pay attention to how you feel overall. For instance, I know that I need to eat something at least every 6 hours or I start to feel not quite right. I don't get hungry, but it's a feeling that my body requires fuel. The something can be an ounce of cheese on a couple of crackers, but it feeds my body's need for sustinance. You're doing great by already listening to your body. Keep up the good work and keep posting. This website is like a 24 hour support group and it's great to see you taking advantage of the tools Dr. Allam has given us for our success. Have a great day!
PS: Davinci makes a great sugar free Italian ice. It comes in lemon and cherry and is available at most local grocery stores.
Isabel

[Regina]

Hi Marcia, when I had my gastric done I followed the papers that were given to me. I also stayed on liquids a little longer then most do. I just wasn't hungry and didn't mind staying on it longer. I did have yogurt and ice pops along with my clear broth and cream of chicken soup strained of course. I did not want those little pieces of chicken to get stuck. After a while I use to make Progresso Lentil soup and what I did was I used my hand held mixer that I bought, puree the soup, and then strained the bean from the soup out. Again, I didn’t want those lentil beans to get stuck in me.

Everyone does things differently but mostly stays with what papers Pat has given us. The best thing you can do is call Pat and ask her if you can have this or that. She is the best person to ask about that. I use to call her in beginning a lot and she always returned my calls. So, if you are in doubt about something call her.

You sound like you are doing fine.

Will you be attending this months meeting on June 17?